Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-02-24
SILK CULTURE IN KANSAS.
An Address Before tie Kansas Legislature
bY Prof, Hofnsr.

An Address Before tie Kansas Legislature
by Prof. Horner.
The following address upon silk culture was
recently delivered before the present session Of
the Kansas Legislature by Prof Horner, of Ela
poria:
Mr.. P'esiaeHt and n,en,Jeys Of tie Kaasos Legis
latare:
am happy for the opportunity now afforded
TO address you, as representative men, on Sc
important subject as the silk culture industry:
ana while have no purpose ia approaching this
legislative body other than to enii. shten you
relative to the question at issue. think my
argument will appear more intelligent when
demonstrate the simple operation OF silk reel
ing In viewing this operation with this crude
simple reel, you can not for moment doubt the
great possibilities when the mechanical economy
OF the ingenious American rs brought in contact
with the silk reeling industry. Proceeding 70
reel he soon produced a very handsome skcin
OF SILK, which was passed to the audience for
examination
proceeding, the professor said: The magni
tude OF the silk culture industry in China. Japan,
Italy and South Russia is beyond our compre-
hension, while in nearly all Oriental countries 1t
has attained TO great proportions an auxiliary
In national support, afiording suitable employ
ment TO millions OF people, especially to women
and dependent children in rural and suburban
districts. The maximum annual production OF
II
adding Italy, France and other European coun-
tries, is estimated at a value of s5OoOO0, 600 and
with the rapid increase of population in tho
united States there is a necessity for broad
ened opportunities of support. During the past
year there was imported S2i,00O,000 worth OF
raw (reeled) silk, and the noes (waste) which
after being manufactured in the United States
was valued at S66,OOO,000: adding the imported
manufactured silk valued at s2S,000000, making
an annual consumption OF nearly 800, 600,
which should be supplied by the American pro-
Queer.
The argument commonly used against silk
culture in this country is the want of cheap
labor, but as an American citizen, and espe-
clally as a citizen of the great State of Kansas,
winch by nature is favored with the essential
elements for successful serculture, am slow
to believe that the hampered Oriental labor is
equal to your intelligence and broad opportuni-
Ties. Orientals content with small produc-
ton as well as with the slow imperfect methods
OF their ancestors; but the American by his
broad opportunities by his intelligence, will
exercise greater economy, and fully meet the
emergencies
Success in silk culture is largely due to an
adapted climate and suitable soil for the Wig
orous but healthful growth the mulberry tree;
ana having made careful research in this re-
spcct, represent that there is a broad zone OF
TINS continent especially adapted to the indus
Try. This is due to the dryness of the atmos-
phere and as these essential elements are found
In kansas and a vast district lying to the south
ana west, the Legislature should make early
provision to commercially develop this impor-
tant industry, and thereby become the common
center TO which the products of other States
VIII be sent and subserve TO our advantage in
the SILK manufacture. This is the golden OPP.
portunity for Kansas to become the silk center
OF the New World. Let her representative
men arise in their dignity and by iudicous &C.
ton declare that Kansas shall become the great
commercial center of sericuliure and don the
robe of silk. To put it in a very modified way,
millions of dollars now lie buried under the
r.;!9.;iiu sod OF our treeless plains that should
come into our treasures through the avenue OF
this industry.
Beside the commercial advantage to be de.
rived from the industry, the multiplied millions
OF valuable mulberry trees and hedges tina,
would decorate our bleak plains, in which the
farmer would have his fence posts and fuel fur.
nlshed In his orchard screens and shelterbelts,
would be of inestimablc value to and rapidly in
crease the value of our real estate
Another great advantage VIII accrue from the
development of the industry, as by judicious ef
fort the present drain on our State treasury
viii be curtailed, afrording those unfortunate
people suitable line of light labor by which
they may receive maintenance and render them
far more happy. More than million dollars
VIII be needed TO support our State chart
ties for the next biennial term. Think
OF the cost to the State for the next ten years
This needless expenditure should be curtaleo
by the development of silk culture Last, bu,
not least, the great want of the industrial dcvet
opment of the American girls will be found in
the industry. For this reason, largely, / have
labored faithfully for years, and now press this
matter upon this representative body and tr,s,
they will take such action to establish the in.
dustry. which can be most successfully done by
establishing silk station, through which inst.
tuition practical scientific knowledge. free, thor
oughbred silk worm seed and mulberry seed may
be distributed, and likewise furnish a market
for cocoons until the necessary silk Feeling fac
tories will be established and thereby put silk
culture on a commercial basis